Last July, the federal government made sweeping changes to the Interim Federal Health Program, a program that has been providing health coverage to refugees and asylum seekers (refugee claimants) since 1957. Prior to these cuts, all classes of refugees, regardless of country of origin, received the same coverage. The cuts in 2012 have resulted in three different levels of health coverage for refugees.

Government assisted, privately sponsored, and successful refugee claimant’s coverage has remained unchanged. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney would have you believe that this coverage is “gold-plated” or better than the average and low-income Canadian. Indeed, I have seen many posts from angry Canadians that refugees receive vision, prescription and dental care while Canadian citizens have to pay out of pocket for these services. The coverage for these services is in fact the same as the coverage provided to low-income Canadians when you compare the Interim Federal Health Program with Alberta Adult Health Benefit.

In addition, refugee claimants’ coverage has been cut and includes only preventive care for conditions that pose a public health risk, such as medications for tuberculosis, as well as emergency care. Complicating the issue further is Bill C-31, which is essentially a list of 34 countries that the government feels do not normally produce refugees. Refugee claimants from these 34 countries and failed refugee claimants have even further reduced coverage which includes only preventive and emergency care for conditions that cause a public health risk. The coverage for both these groups fall far below that of basic Alberta Health Care, which would cover all medically necessary surgeries and hospitalizations regardless of where you are from.

Kenney is promoting an “us versus them” sentiment, which serves only to deflect attention away from the facts and ultimately undermine the inherent Canadian value of multiculturalism.

Elisabeth Hansen, R.N., B.Sc.N., Edmonton

A long battle for equality

Re: “A proud time for Edmonton,” by Murray Billet, Letters, June 13.

Letter writer and self-described human rights activist Murray Billet is correct that, at one time, gay couples did not have equality in the workplace, could not marry and could not adopt or foster children.

However, Billet’s claim that Alberta’s gay, lesbian, bi- sexual, transgendered and queer community led the charge for equality at the Supreme Court of Canada more than 15 years ago is false. The reality is that sexual equality in Canada originated in socially progressive Ontario and Quebec, decades before Alberta came to the table. Equality in Canada was achieved despite tremendous opposition from Alberta.

Albertans must not lose sight that the original human rights activists in the battle for equality did not hail from their province.

The real Canadian human rights activists are not the people standing at the front of the Edmonton Pride parade today. The real human rights activists were the people who led the parade when there was only one float and 100 people in attendance in cities like Montreal and Toronto. Those Ontario and Quebec activists are the real leaders of the LGBTQ community. Their work started well over 30 years ago. Regrettably many are dead because of the AIDS pandemic.

I ask only that Billet remember and respect these people who came before him, paved the way for the freedoms he now enjoys and memorialized the virtues he now claims the province of Alberta champions.

It would be a fun way to celebrate the High Level Bridge if the Edmonton Journal included a paper hat of the bridge’s profile in an edition. People could cut it out, decorate it and attach it to a piece of card stock. More creative readers could add battery pack mini lights and “light up the bridge” on a small scale.

If the Journal could get an advertiser to pay for it, maybe it could be printed on shiny card stock. That would be fun! Readers could send in photos of their creation and have a contest. People could wear their hats to Canada Day, too.

I really enjoy the Edmonton Journal. Thank you.

Liz Webster Goddard, Edmonton

Building public trust

When individuals are elected or appointed to governing positions, they agree to adhere to a higher standard of ethical practice than most of us are able to achieve in everyday life.

Temptations are everywhere. One feels the power. Succumbing to temptation breaches public trust and invites the official in question to resign. Two mayors of Montreal have resigned recently.

Anything that weakens trust in governance also weakens the intricate weave of the fabric that keeps us civilized.

The scandal implicit in the alleged cheating by senators, especially those who long before their appointment were trusted news anchors, leaves me with a profound sense of disappointment. The scandal is depressing.

Are the ethics of appointed officials, such as senators, inadequate to resist the temptations of power? Are the institutions and powers of government, Parliament, the Senate and the Prime Minister’s Office intrinsically corrupting?

How do the election and appointment processes apparently overlook ethical qualities and ethical courage in candidates?

Ethical behaviour is the rock on which trust is built. Regulation is no substitute.

The Senate scandal is not about the role of the Senate in our constitutional democracy. The scandal is about the requirement to invest in ethics in our homes and communities, about pricing unethical practice and eliminating exceptions to audits and ethical performance reviews on the basis of rank at all levels of government.

So, retired navy veterans need permission to wear their uniforms because some in active service got their noses out of joint. I have a question for those who are still in active service: Is this how you want to be treated when you are retired?

A navy consists of more than what you see now; it also consists of histories and traditions.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.